JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Currently within Australia 3.6 per cent of all ED (ED) presentations are mental health related. Information about the context of the person presenting to the ED (beyond immediate needs), including their psychosocial disability (PSD) National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan, is reported as incomplete and fragmented. There are missed opportunities for early intervention and care continuity that could potentially inform ED practitioners to revise current practices.

Objective:

This study has three objectives 1) to obtain original data from the lived experience voice of those with PSD NDIS plan and their experience when presenting to an ED; 2) to gather information from NDIS service providers to reveal communication pathways between the ED and NDIS services; 3) to gain knowledge ED clinicians nationally around processes for continuity of care with this vulnerable population group.

Methods:

This inductive mixed methods phenomenological study will involve data collection analysed sequentially, with each stage informing future stages of the research. Interviews will focus on the voices of those with lived experience exploring potential indicators that have led to an ED presentation alongside an analysis of associated clinical and administrative documentation and communications. Focus groups with NDIS support workers and support coordinators will provide phenomenological data around the experience from their perspective. National quantitative surveys with those with a psychosocial disability NDIS plan and emergency services clinicians will inform of current practices within community care and ED presentations. The research project design includes a lived experience advisory group who are assisting with the design of the interview and focus group schedules and clinician surveys, as well as shape interpretation of qualitative information (review themes). All transcripts will undergo thematic analysis to understand individuals meaning making of these complex and particular phenomena. The research team includes a lived experience researcher and lived experience carer (PhD candidate).

Results:

This study is funded by MIND Australia as a PhD industry scholarship and commenced in April 2020. A systematic review as a pre research activity is currently in press. The Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of South Australia has approved this project.

Conclusions:

Understanding the lived experience of the pre care, during care and post care stages of ED presentations from the perspective of those with a psychosocial disability NDIS plan will inform the research team around current practices and provide information about improvement for pathways of care for this vulnerable group of people, while also informing health policy.